Persistence Pays…A Journey Toward Journalistic Access for the DEA Reschedule Hearing
Written By LaWann Stribling
On November 26, I sent an email stating my interest in attending the hearing as a journalist. The response was quick and blunt: “Due to limited capacity in the courtroom, DEA Press spots are for credentialed media only. We are unable to accommodate your request. The hearing will be available for public viewing on www.dea.gov/live.”At first, I felt slighted and dismissed—especially given that Fat Nugs Magazine is the only Cannabis Culture Magazine. Was my publication not considered credentialed? This rejection stung, but I wasn’t ready to let it go.
Georgia's Cannabis Revolution: From Haleigh's Hope to Expanded Access in 2025
Written By Rudy Brown
In 2015, the Georgia General Assembly passed the Haleigh’s Hope Act, named for Haleigh Cox, a child whose severe epilepsy highlighted the critical need for medical cannabis access. For families like hers, this law offered a pathway to potential relief. It granted patients with certain conditions the right to possess low-THC cannabis oil.
Budist Friendsgiving: Weed, Friends, and Seriously Good Eats
Written By Daniel Crawford
The setting of the Friendsgiving event was at the Pleasure Med dispensary in West Hollywood. Pleasure Med is a combination of an apothecary-style dispensary, a full-service bar called the Hind, and an upscale restaurant, called Irie, serving world-class culinary delights. The setting was beautifully decorated with a cozy harvest motif and had me missing my Midwestern roots
The Beating Heart of MJBizCon: Equity Row and the Fight for Cannabis Justice
Written By Kenya Alexander
For many participants, it represented a chance to break through barriers that have kept those with cannabis convictions from accessing the cannabis industry’s potential. In addition, the initiative’s intentional design have helped connect justice-impacted, BIPOC, women, and veterans entrepreneurs with opportunities to showcase their businesses and skills. Equity Row was not just a space for exhibiting products—it was a declaration that the future of cannabis must include everyone.
Interview with Lonnie Kessler: From Fighting Stigma to Facing Death
Written By Casey Renteria
Through all the ups and downs with his health, cannabis was always there. He told me he was on 13 pills - but with cannabis, he’s down to 3 pills twice a day, and I'd say that's a huge improvement! But he also talked about how hard it was to open up to his family about his choice to use cannabis. “It's finding a balance between family, friends, society, and quality of life you have to choose and I choose the quality of life…Cannabis will be the one thing I use until the very end,” he said.
The Science Behind Edibles
Written By Katie Shoneff
Similar to adding a vitamin/supplement “boost” to a smoothie, a recent uptick is showing brands are now infusing edibles in the same fashion, adding ingredients like Vitamin B12 and magnesium, typically seen in THC and CBD gummy products. A smart business move that also begs questions from consumers: how beneficial is THC and vitamins to the human body? How do we process these ingredients? And what should consumers look for when purchasing edibles for medicinal purposes?
My Journey Through Life With Cannabis: How Did I Get Here?
Written By Kim Cooper
My kids were on the internet, a relatively new platform that was launched some years prior for college students. Only 2 of my kids were still at home, both were teenagers. They were on a new website called Facebook. I didn’t explore it, not really, it seemed it was just a place for kids to gather and talk. I opened an account, only to keep track of what my kids were doing and who they were talking to. I had no idea how large of an impact this platform would have on me in the future.
A Glimpse into a Blind Man’s Life
Written By Lance Mathena
My career is over. The Department of Defense does not want blind database administrators: my employer was the first to give me the big wet kiss goodbye. I hadn’t been out of intensive care for more than a few days when I got the call telling me to “Heal fast, so you can go to work and clean out your desk.”
My friends are disappearing in droves. I make them uncomfortable. They can’t picture being blind themselves, and so have zero concept of what it might be like for me. I am a constant reminder of mortality, and no one wants to face a reminder of the possibility of catastrophic injury every time they see an old friend.
Quartz vs. Ceramic: Which is Better for Cannabis Concentrate Manufacturers?
Written By Alyssa Brant
The type of coil material in vape cartridges is a crucial choice for manufacturers looking to optimize product performance and consumer experience. Quartz and ceramic coils are two leading options, each with distinct characteristics that can influence the quality and safety of vaping cannabis cartridges.
Let’s analyze their differences in heat retention, impurities, and flavor preservation, focusing on what’s most relevant for cannabis concentrate manufacturers looking for the best cartridge to get the most out of their oil.
The Power of Cannabis in Achieving Flow State: A Personal Journey
Written By Seibo Shen
Suddenly, I had this urge to do something productive. I grabbed my laptop and started working on a GTM project I’d been stuck on for weeks. What surprised me was how easy everything felt. Ideas came to me naturally, and my focus was razor-sharp. Two hours went by in what felt like 20 minutes, and before I knew it, I’d made more progress than I had in weeks. I’d unknowingly entered the flow state, and cannabis was the key that opened the door.
MJBizCon 2024: What’s New?
Written By June Blankin
A new addition to the networking side is The Patio, which will be located just outside the Retail Pavilion. Anyone who’s attended an MJBizCon before knows the entrance/smoking area of past conferences was a place to meet/sesh and really get to know people. Trust me, many great connections and deals were born there. This year it becomes The Patio, with an updated look, food trucks, music, and more. The Patio is officially part of the conference this year, so one will need a pass to access this area.
Elevated in the Midwest: A Texas Girl’s Journey Through Michigan’s Budding Cannabis Scene
Written By Kenya Alexander
The drive from Detroit to Lansing was quiet, the landscape dotted with colorful leaves, a far cry from Texas highways. As I pulled up to the party, I didn’t fully know what to expect, but the moment I stepped inside, I realized this wasn’t just any afterparty. It was something special. Hosted by the heavyweights, Bloom, Lost Farm, and Kinship Cannabis Co., Flowers After Dark wasn’t about networking and small talk; it was a full consumption experience unlike anything I’d ever been to.
Rebranding Weed: The Implicit Associations of Cannabis
Written By Rudy Brown
The roots of cannabis criminalization come from racially charged narratives in the early 20th century. Back then, the plant was deliberately associated with communities of color to justify legal restrictions. In the 1930s and 1940s, media outlets like the New York Times published over 50 articles linking cannabis to violent crime, crafting a fear-driven narrative filled with harmful stereotypes. This stigmatization fueled harsh penalties, disproportionately affecting marginalized people and leading to the mass incarceration of nonviolent cannabis offenders.
Diabetes Awareness Month
Written By Jamie Lynn Dodd
On a brisk early March morning in 2004, I sat in a cold room in a stiff hospital bed strung up to an IV after having what seemed like an endless amount of blood drawn, scared beyond reason at the feelings of everything being explained to me by the doctors and nurses which sound so foreign and unknown. I was told that my blood sugar was 9 times higher than what was considered normal; a number that should have been fatal.
The Case for Genuine Cannabis Legalization: Confronting History and Embracing Equity
Written By Dustin Hoxworth
At the heart of cannabis prohibition lies a truly disgusting history filled with misinformation, fear, and racism. The illegal status of cannabis was not born out of legitimate concerns for public health or safety, but rather from a calculated campaign to demonize a plant and the people associated with it. The Marijuana Tax Act of 1937 is a prime example, rooted in the racist rhetoric of the time that equated cannabis use with violence and moral decay, particularly within Black and Latino communities.
The Ohio Cannabis Health and Business Summit: A Transformative Experience for the Industry
Written By Dustin Hoxworth
One of the obvious things that stood out at this year’s OCHBS was the number of attendees. From what I was told, attendance was up this year while it was down at other events in the state. The summit was filled with professionals from all corners of the cannabis industry who were there to connect, share insights, and build relationships. Everyone seemed to be excited to exchange ideas and explore potential collaborations, and you could actually feel the energy in the room.
The Evolution of Hall of Flowers: An Interview with Rama Mayo
Written By Leah Cerri
“The show has to evolve as the industry evolves. Every year, we talk to all our exhibitors after the show to get their feedback. They said we really have the B2B side dialed in and have been asking us what else we can do to support their customer sales and help them connect to their consumers. Day two now provides them with the opportunity to talk and sell directly to their customers, face to face. You don’t get to do that in dispensaries and via your distributor.”
Crop-tober in New Mexico: A Visit to Tumbleweed Farms in Ojo Caliente
Written By Jessica Reilly-Chevalier
Inside the greenhouse, the plants are huge. They soar over my head, brushing the top of the greenhouse, thick, resinous flowers protruding from every branch. The stalks are thick as bushes and the long branches are trellised to the ceiling with string, like tomatoes. It smells like heaven, earthy and rich and dank, life blossoming all around.
My Journey Through Life With Cannabis: How Did I Get Here?
Written By Kim Cooper
It was 1990 and I was pregnant with my second child. I always knew I wanted lots of kids. 5 was a good number I thought! But my life was taking another twist, that started at the end of the 80’s: a custody battle was brewing over my daughter. Of course, my cannabis consumption was wielded against me once again. I would spend the next 5 years in court
When Cannabis Heals: How My Mother’s Cancer Unveiled the Healing Power of CBDA
Written By Inesa Ponomariovaite
Trapped in a relentless cycle of illness, infection, and chronic pain, I faced not only serious health challenges but also the trauma of domestic violence. Desperate for relief, I left Lithuania, hoping that advanced medical care in the U.S. would bring healing. Instead, my condition worsened. In my search for a solution, I turned to plant-based medicine, abandoning conventional treatments. Remarkably, within weeks, I experienced a significant recovery. This life-changing experience fueled my passion to help others find the same relief that I did.